Pico Rivera awaits word on grant for bicycling hub

Bicyclists ride along the San Gabriel River in Pico Rivera on Thursday. The city is applying to Caltrans for an Active Transportation Program grant in an effort to increase use of active modes of transportation, such as biking and walking.
keith durflinger — staff photographer

PICO RIVERA >> City officials are making plans to increase the activity of its residents through bicycling and walking.

They are waiting for word on a grant from the Active Transportation Program, a Caltrans program implemented last year, that would allow the city to establish the proposed Pico Rivera iBike Program.

“We are very hopeful that we will receive the funds,” said Sandra Gonzalez,director of parks and recreation, during a meeting with the public last week. “We meet the criteria.”

That includes the potential for increased walking and bicycling, especially among students; reduced pedestrian fatalities; public participation and planning; and improved public health.

Those attending the city meeting were invited to give input about the iBike plan.

Most were bicyclists who spoke in favor of the program.

“I think it would be great to get this going,” said resident James Chaves,who rides his bike at least three times a week to his job at Fremont Elementary School in Montebello.

“I do it as a way to show my students the importance of exercise, and also it’s not a bad way to save money by not having to buy gas,” he said.

Gonzalez and Gladis Deras,associate engineer, presented maps and diagrams of the various components of the project, including the Mines Avenue bike plan and bridges, trail and walking maps, as well as a sample of the project’s cornerstone — the iBike Place, to be located on the corner of Mines and Rosemead Boulevard.

“People will be able to walk or ride to both riverbeds,” said Gonzalez, referring to the nearby San Gabriel and Rio Hondo rivers.

The hub of the project would be the iBike facility, which would be an 8,000-square-foot, two-story building with staffing accommodations, meeting places and a place for bikes to be stored safely.

“It would be a 24-hour, indoor bike parking facility,” Gonzalez said. “It will include amenities such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities, free air pumps for bicyclists.”

Depending on the money received ­— the first cycle of ATP funds is estimated at $130 million for projects in California that win bids ­— the city may also include a bike share program, where people can rent bikes.

“You could pay anywhere from a dollar to five, to rent a bike for a day,” Gonzalez said. “Because it’s in the planning stages, prices have not been determined.”

She added that the bike share program would not be to make money for the city.

“The purpose, like the entire project, is to increase mobility while promoting a healthy lifestyle and decrease harmful car emissions,” Gonzalez said.